FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 January 2018
Contact: Eryl P. Wentworth
Phone: (202) 661-8060
E-mail: ewentworth@conservation-us.org
Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation Awarded
$900,000 from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC) was recently awarded a grant of $900,000 from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support change and growth capital.
The Comprehensive Organizational Health Initiative (COHI) launched in 2014 by the Mellon Foundation, aims to build organizational resiliency within the national arts ecosystem by broadening access to resources in underserved regions, creating more equitable systems of support for artists and cultural organizations, and strengthening community participation. Working with the Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), cohorts of organizations progress through a sequence of financial capacity-building strategies and receive infusions of capital, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and individualized technical support. COHI grants in 2015 served six members of the National Performance Network/Visual Arts Network and eight American art conservation service organizations. Following two in-person meetings of Mellon, NFF, and cohort leadership representatives, participant organizations worked individually with NFF advisors to assess their business models and develop plans for sustainability.
With this award, over a three-year period, FAIC will engage in activities designed to increase capacity and ensure financial stability in a rapidly evolving world. “The Mellon Foundation’s commitment to support growth capital for arts organizations is groundbreaking,” notes FAIC Executive Director Eryl Wentworth, “and we are thrilled to be a part of an initiative designed to strengthen our organizations and increase their impact.” FAIC strategies will focus on increasing fundraising capacity, developing a “Friends” program for those interested in conservation but not professionally involved in caring for collections, and building a sponsorship program. A special reserve fund will be created to provide working capital for future opportunities and change. With the assistance of contractors, consultants, and an additional staff member, these new activities will be incorporated into existing FAIC programs and initiatives.
# # #
About FAIC
FAIC, the Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works, supports conservation education, research, and outreach activities that increase understanding of our global cultural heritage. Learn more at www.conservation-us.org/foundation.
About The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Founded in 1969, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation endeavors to strengthen, promote, and, where necessary, defend the contributions of the humanities and the arts to human flourishing and to the well-being of diverse and democratic societies by supporting exemplary institutions of higher education and culture as they renew and provide access to an invaluable heritage of ambitious, path-breaking work. Additional information is available at mellon.org.